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Science & Nature • Zoology

Antlers

Antlers are branched bony growths on the heads of deer family members (cervids).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Antlers are branched bony growths on the heads of deer family members (cervids). They are shed and regrown annually, unlike horns, and are used in display and competition, especially during the breeding season. In most deer species, males grow antlers; reindeer are the main exception, with females also bearing them.

Definition and anatomy

Antlers are branched bone structures that develop from pedicles on the skull in cervids. While growing, they are covered in vascular velvet before mineralising into hard bone.

Growth and shedding

Unlike horns, antlers are not permanent. They are naturally shed and regrown on an annual cycle linked to the animal’s life history and breeding season.

Function

Antlers are thought to have evolved largely for male competition and sexual display. They can also serve as weapons in fights between males during the rut.

Antlers versus horns

Antlers are true bone, usually branched, and shed yearly, while horns are permanent structures with a bony core and keratin sheath. The two are found in different animal groups.

Key facts

  • Antlers are branched bony growths on the heads of deer family members (cervids).
  • They are shed and regrown annually, unlike horns, which are permanent and partly made of keratin.
  • In most deer species, males grow antlers; females of reindeer/caribou also grow them.
  • Antlers are used in display and male-male competition, especially during the breeding season.
  • While growing, antlers are covered in velvet that supplies blood and nutrients.
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Canadian context

Antlers are relevant to Canadian wildlife because caribou and moose are among the best-known antlered species in Canada, and antlers are a common feature in Canadian nature education, hunting, and wildlife management.

Frequently asked questions

What are antlers?
Antlers are bony, branched structures that grow from the skulls of deer family members.
Do antlers fall off?
Yes. Antlers are shed annually and then regrown.
Are antlers the same as horns?
No. Antlers are bone and are shed each year; horns are permanent and have a keratin outer layer.
Which animals have antlers?
Antlers are found in the deer family (Cervidae), including deer, elk, moose, and caribou/reindeer.
Why do deer have antlers?
Antlers are used in display and in competition between males, especially during the breeding season.
Do female deer have antlers?
Usually no, but female reindeer/caribou do grow antlers.

References

  1. Field Museum — https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/antlers-whats-their-function
    Supports: Definition of antlers as skull extensions in deer family; annual shedding and regrowth; energetic investment.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antler
    Supports: Pedicle attachment, velvet, growth as bone, sexual selection, fastest-growing mammal bone, origin in cervid lineage.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/science/antler
    Supports: Annual shedding and regrowth; males usually carry antlers; females in reindeer.
  4. Animal Diversity Web — https://animaldiversity.org/collections/mammal_anatomy/horns_and_antlers/
    Supports: Antlers as bony paired structures shed annually; present only in males except caribou; pedicle anatomy.
  5. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — https://www.fws.gov/story/antlers
    Supports: Antlers are not horns; deer family origin; bone composition; annual shedding; growth from tip.
  6. U.S. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/articles/yell-horns-vs-antlers.htm
    Supports: Clear distinction between antlers and horns; antlers as skull extensions, true bone, shed yearly.